First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1doctor
noun doc·tor \ˈdäk-tər\
: a person who is skilled in the science of medicine : a person who is trained and licensed to treat sick and injured people
the doctor : the place where a doctor works
: a dentist
Full Definition of DOCTOR
1
a : an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church —called also doctor of the church b : a learned or authoritative teacher c : a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (as a PhD) conferred by a university d : a person awarded an honorary doctorate (as an LLD or Litt D) by a college or university
2
a : a person skilled or specializing in healing arts; especially : one (as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice b : medicine man
3
a : material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect b : a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
4
: a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things
— doc·tor·al \-t(ə-)rəl\ adjective
— doc·tor·less \-tər-ləs\ adjective
— doc·tor·ship \-ˌship\ noun
See doctor defined for English-language learners
See doctor defined for kids
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Origin of DOCTOR
Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile
Related to DOCTOR
Other Medicine Terms
Rhymes with DOCTOR
2doctor
verb
: to change (something) especially in order to trick or deceive people
: to add something (such as alcohol or drugs) to (a food or drink)
: to give medical treatment to (an injury, a person, etc.)
doc·toreddoc·tor·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of DOCTOR
transitive verb
1
a : to give medical treatment to b : to restore to good condition : repair <doctor an old clock>
2
a : to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment <doctored the play to suit the audience> <the drink was doctored> b : to alter deceptively <accused of doctoring the election returns>
intransitive verb
1
: to practice medicine
2
dial : to take medicine
See doctor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DOCTOR
1712
Related to DOCTOR
- Synonyms
- treat
DOCTORED Defined for Kids
1doctor
noun doc·tor \ˈdäk-tər\
Definition of DOCTOR for Kids
: a person (as a physician or veterinarian) skilled and specializing in the art of healing
2doctor
verb
doc·toreddoc·tor·ing
Definition of DOCTOR for Kids
1
: to use remedies on or for <doctor a wound>
2
: to practice medicine
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